(a) A vessel equipped with pilothouse control must have a fixed means of two-way communications from the operating station to the location where the means of controlling the propulsion machinery, required by § 184.620(a) of this part, is located. Twin screw vessels with pilothouse control for both engines are not required to have a fixed communications system.

(b) A vessel equipped with auxiliary means of steering, required by § 182.620 of this subchapter, must have a fixed means of two-way communications from the operating station to the location where the auxiliary means of steering is controlled.

(c) When the propulsion machinery of a vessel cannot be controlled from the operating station, an efficient communications system must be provided between the operating station and the propulsion machinery space.

(d) When the locations addressed in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this section are sufficiently close together, direct voice communications satisfactory to the cognizant OCMI is acceptable instead of the required fixed means of communications.

(e) The OCMI may accept hand held portable radios as satisfying the communications system requirement of this section.

(a) Except as noted in paragraphs (d) and (e) below, each vessel must be equipped with a public address system.

(b) On a vessel of more than 19.8 meters (65 feet) in length, the public address system must be a fixed installation and be audible during normal operating conditions throughout the accommodation spaces and all other spaces normally manned by crew members.

(c) A vessel with more than one passenger deck and a vessel with overnight accommodations must have the public address system operable from the operating station.

(d) On a vessel of not more than 19.8 meters (65 feet) in length, a battery powered bullhorn may serve as the public address system if audible throughout the accommodation spaces of the vessel during normal operating conditions. The bullhorn's batteries are to be continually maintained at a fully charged level by use of a battery charger or other means acceptable to the cognizant OCMI.

(e) On a vessel of not more than 19.8 meters (65 feet) in length carrying not more than 49 passengers, a public address system is not required if a public announcement made from operating station without amplification can be heard throughout the accommodation spaces of the vessel during normal operating conditions, to the satisfaction of the cognizant OCMI.

(a) A vessel must have two independent means of controlling each propulsion engine. Control must be provided for the engine speed, direction of shaft rotation, and engine shutdown.

(1) One of the means may be the ability to readily disconnect the remote engine control linkage to permit local operation.

(2) A multiple engine vessel with independent remote propulsion control for each engine need not have a second means of controlling each engine.

(b) In addition to the requirements of paragraph (a), a vessel must have a reliable means for shutting down a propulsion engine, at the main pilothouse control station, which is independent of the engine's speed control.

(c) A propulsion engine control system, including pilothouse control, must be designed so that a loss of power to the control system does not result in an increase in shaft speed or propeller pitch.